Vol. 471 No. 8
61 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure the rates of pension payments for retired nurses will retain parity with the payment scales for serving staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22392/96]
While pay and conditions of nurses are primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health, the implications of restructuring deals for existing pensioners are currently being considered in the case of several major public service groups. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the matter.
While a number of restructuring deals have been concluded to date, the outcome of pay talks has still to be finalised in the case of several major public service groups. Pending completion of the latter and consideration of the pensions issues generally I am not in a position, at this stage, to set out the effect of such deals on pensions in payment.
